Skipper Gerrard full of hope for Reds' new arrivals

Last updated at 14:52 10 August 2007

Steven Gerrard is "very confident" after Liverpool's summer buying spree as he prepares for a campaign at last playing in his favoured central role.

The Liverpool skipper has been impressed with boss Rafael Benitez's £40million of new signings, more so because it is likely to see him leading the side from central midfield rather than the right-sided role he has frequently occupied under the Spanish coach.

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Gerrard said: "I like to play in the middle, everyone knows that, but it is a team game and points are more important, so I can't be selfish and say I want this and that.

"But we have bought wingers, so the middle is where I want to play and I am looking forward to that now.

"Rafa has brought in quality players and we are stronger. But I won't make any judgements now, I've done that before and things have not always worked out.

"But the new boys will make an impact, they all have individual qualities to bring to the squad, and we are all very confident.

"And I known how things work here, how the focus is on a new player to score. But Fernando Torres will handle that pressure of being expected to score goal, he is a top player who works really hard for the team, that is what matters."

But Gerrard is acutely aware of the growing expectation that has followed Benitez's transfer market plunge.

He said: "I don't have to go out in the city to know what is expected, I'm getting that in my own house, I have fans and relatives who all talk about what we are going to do, I understand that.

"But you cannot win anything at the beginning, it is April and May when the trophies are handed out, but we know we have to have a good start.

"We know we have to be around the top in April and May, that is our aim. And yes, we know that we have not always had good starts which has made it harder."

Liverpool open their campaign at Aston Villa on Saturday evening, and Gerrard claims: "It is a tough start. Aston Villa away and then Chelsea at home are as hard as it gets, everyone is out to make their mark.

"And it will be tough at Villa. Their boss Martin O'Neill is a fantastic manager, he gets the best out of everyone, so it will be hard.

"For us the performance is not so important, we just have to get back on the coach afterwards with three points.

"We know we have been guilty of starting poorly over the last few seasons, we cannot do that again."